Thursday, July 2, 2009

KEY WEST -- The Key West Rugby Club will take on the crew of the British Frigate HMS Iron Duke on Friday at Bernstein Park on Stock Island.

The game, scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., will renew a rivalry that dates back to the first rugby match played in the state of Florida back in 1969. At that time, the fledgling University of Miami rugby squad took on a visiting British warship in Key West. The score is lost to history but a friendship between the British Navy and Florida Rugby was born.

In 2004, the Key West Rugby Club created the Commander's Cup Challenge Match, an open invitation to visiting military teams. The inaugural match saw Key West defeat the HMS Monmouth, 33-14. The more than 200 fans in attendance were treated to a thrilling match that wasn't decided until the closing minutes.

The following year found the HMS Liverpool challenging Key West. Fresh from their Division 3 Championship, the Key West men handed the Britts a surprising defeat, 63-3. News of the lambasting circulated throughout the fleet.

In 2006, the HMS Cumberland came to port with a singular mission, take back the cup. Though the cover story was a short stop for liberty, the Rugby Champions of the Royal Navy came to win. The players pledged not drink or party until the dignity of the Navy was restored. Not wanting to ruin their guest's stay in Key West, the local side conceded a hard fought contest.

The Key West club is comprised of nearly 25 members, almost half of which are active duty Naval, Coast Guard, Army or Air Force personnel. The development of this rivalry has spread throughout the British Navy and various other naval forces and is eagerly anticipated by visiting warships.

For more information, contact Bill McDonough at 305-849-2753, or Mike Spontak at 305-923-1984.